Here’s How Tony Abbott Reacted To Losing His Seat
"I'd rather be a loser than a quitter."
Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister and scourge of onions across the nation, has lost his job. And honestly it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Australia’s 28th Prime Minister lost his seat to high-profile independent candidate Zali Steggall, who campaigned on a platform of meaningful climate action and not being the worst.
Speaking to a room full of supporters, Abbott thanked his supporters and congratulated Steggall, while predicting that the Liberal National coalition would hold on to power.
“We’ve got good news and, yes, we’ve got a little bit of bad news,” he said. “But the good news is much more important than the bad news: The good news is that there is every chance that the Liberal-National Coalition has won this election.”
“I always knew it was going to be tough here in Warringah. And I can’t say that it doesn’t hurt to lose. But I decided back then, in October of last year [when Kerryn Phelps won the seat of Wentworth], that if I had to lose, so be it. I’d rather be a loser than a quitter.”
On climate change, Abbott offered what he said would be “my first word, if not necessarily my last word, on this subject”.
“Where climate change is a moral issue, we Liberals do it tough,” he said. “But where climate change is an economic issue, as the result tonight shows, we do very, very well.”
“In so-called wealthy seats the Green Left is doing better,” says Tony Abbott, who just got thrashed by a right-wing candidate who correctly realises the climate crisis is a big deal #AusVotes
— Michael Hopkin (@mikehopkin) May 18, 2019
Abbott said he was “incredibly proud” of his time in politics, while admitting that he could have done some things “differently and better”. I presume he’s talking about the onion, can’t think what else he could possibly be referring too.
He concluded his speech by suggesting that he would continue to play a role in public life. I’m sure Sky News have been keeping a chair warm for him.
Watch @TonyAbbottMHR‘s concession speech in full. #AusVotes2019 #Auspol pic.twitter.com/jdvxrjZzgs
— ABC News (@abcnews) May 18, 2019
In her speech, Steggall called her victory “a win for moderates with a heart”.
“I will be a climate leader for you,” she promised. “I will keep the new government to account, and make sure we take action on climate change. I will push for real action, so our children and generations to come, they can enjoy the environment and our beautiful beaches, and our beautiful country, the way we enjoy it.”
Anyway, say what you will about Tony Abbott, but he was definitely Prime Minister for a while there.